I finally got all the tools and components together, loaded some cartridges, and fired the original Remington #1 “Rolling Block” in .44/77 chambering that I acquired some months ago. I was very pleasantly surprised at the rifle’s accuracy, especially considering its pretty rudimentary original sights (step elevator barrel and standard blade front). I was also impressed by the load’s relatively flat trajectory, but maybe that had something to do with my just having finished trying to figure the trajectory of a .50/70. I was grateful for the rifle’s 12-pound weight given the Remington #1’s atrocious stock design.

The load employed a grease-groove bullet, for which I’ll likely be roundly criticized, but here are the details:

.44/77 Bottleneck
Bullet: 402-grain flat point, .449-inch diameter; 1:20 alloy; Steve Brooks mould
Bullet lubricant: SPG
Powder Charge: 75 Grains Swiss 1.5 powder
Case: Captech/Jamison (Also have Rocky Mountain Cartridge brass not tried yet)
Wads: .055-inch thickness vegetable fiber punched with Fred Cornell .450-inch punch, plus 2 newsprint wads
Primer: Federal 215 magnum

Reloading dies were RCBS, with Buffalo Arms expander punch and powder compression die.

There we have it, and I’m well-pleased with the results

Don Kenna

Congrats Don on bringing the old girl back to life. Kind of sounds like the results were well worth the wait. In some ways I am like you in that I am waiting for my 44-77 to be finished up. It is on a Pedrosoli Rolling block action. I was hoping to have it by now but from the looks of things I will not have it till some time in December and by that time of the year my guess is that it's going to be too cold and nasty here to enjoy going out and trying it out. I think it's gonna be a long wait for spring to show back up.
Sam

Good deal Don If you get a chance maybe you can show us picture of that grand old rifle?

Sounds great. I have a Remington #1 sporter in 44-77 that I reload for and shoot also.

Jim

(11-13-2014, 11:24 AM)Jimmill Wrote: Sounds great. I have a Remington #1 sporter in 44-77 that I reload for and shoot also.

Jim

Please do tell us more.

I'd be interested in the specs and seeing pics of the Remington sporters in 44-77 that you all of you have.

30 in barrel
12xx serial
barrel sights
Weighs 9.5 ouchy pounds.
This rifle is typical I think having a tight chamber and .451 (best I can tell) groove diameter.

Jamison brass
80 gr Fg Kik
030 OP veg wad, 1/8 lube cookie, and .060 veggie wad
KAL adj mold dropping 420 gr PPB. 30:1 alloy. Tapered .434 at base and wrapped with 8 lb Seth Cole.

Shoots better than my eyes can.

Caprock.. that's one lovely looking piece of gear right there. Good to see the originals out and being used. 420 pp and 80 grains... I'd imagine that lead sedative is moving 'right along'

(11-13-2014, 06:06 PM)Caprock Wrote: I'd be interested in the specs and seeing pics of the Remington sporters in 44-77 that you all of you have.

30 in barrel
12xx serial
barrel sights
Weighs 9.5 ouchy pounds.
This rifle is typical I think having a tight chamber and .451 (best I can tell) groove diameter.

Jamison brass
80 gr Fg Kik
030 OP veg wad, 1/8 lube cookie, and .060 veggie wad
KAL adj mold dropping 420 gr PPB. 30:1 alloy. Tapered .434 at base and wrapped with 8 lb Seth Cole.

Shoots better than my eyes can.

I'm not much of a roller fan, but that one is certainly nice and seems to have a sign on it, that says " Take me hunting right now" your load and it are classic.. good luck . bobw

Here are the specs on my 44-77:

Remington #1 Sporter
serial number 51xx
30" oct barrel
10.5 pounds
combination open & peep rear sight
beach front sight

My standard load:

win 348 brass or rmc brass
rcbs 44-370 bullet 40-1
72 gr 2f goex
Homemade lube

I ordered some pp bullets & paper from buffalo arms. Going to give those a try soon.

I have 2 other Remington #1 sporters a 40-70bn & a 45-70.

Jim

(11-14-2014, 08:45 AM)Jimmill Wrote: Here are the specs on my 44-77:

Remington #1 Sporter
serial number 51xx
30" oct barrel
10.5 pounds
combination open & peep rear sight
beach front sight

My standard load:

win 348 brass or rmc brass
rcbs 44-370 bullet 40-1
72 gr 2f goex
Homemade lube

I ordered some pp bullets & paper from buffalo arms. Going to give those a try soon.

I have 2 other Remington #1 sporters a 40-70bn & a 45-70.

Jim

I could not chamber the RCBS bullet in my rifle using the BACO .348. Its .013 neck thickness was just too much. I ordered a few RMC at .009 to try and they worked fine then Jamison came out with their excellent product and I stocked up.

You have an idea what your groove diameter is?

I've a 38 centerfire that has been relined to 38-55 and a pretty nifty 32 rf with a set trigger thats on its way to become a 50-70. Sadly the original beech combo and RR sight are gone. Here's the .32 rf prior to shipping.



Someone had receiver stipled to cut down glare I guess. Its amazing how popular the .32 was for target shooting. [img][/img]

Another view: